The Story of Jake’s Java

Jacob (“Jake”) Gaillher was born February 7, 1999 in Pittsfield, MA. After graduating Taconic High School in 2017, he joined the USAF where he studied and became fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Upon graduation from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey California, he started his Air Force career as an airborne linguist (DSO) and was assigned to Hurlburt Air Force Base in Mary Esther, Florida. 

In 2019 while attending survival training in Spokane, Washington, Jake met his wife Ivy, who at the time was working at the local coffee shop Jake would frequent when off duty. Jake believed in signs and he would often tell her he felt like they were the same person. It was a sign they were meant to be together. 

Ivy joined Jake in Mary Esther, where they soon married. In 2021, they started their family by welcoming their first child, a beautiful baby boy, to the world. The following year, Jacob accepted an assignment to the Yokota Air Force base and the new family moved to Tokyo, Japan. 

Jake and Ivy shared a love of the mountains. It was a special bond and a symbol of the strength and love they had for each other and their family. One of the things they loved about living in Japan was that they could see Mount Fuji from the base where they lived. Jake would often start his day by telling Ivy “Mount Fuji looks beautiful today.” In October 2023, they welcomed their second beautiful son.

On November 29, 2023, while flying a mission near Yakushima Island, Japan, Jake’s Osprey V-22 (call sign GUNDAM 22) went down. All eight of the crew; Major Jeffrey T. Hoernemann, Major  Eric V. Spendlove, D.O., Major Luke A. Unrath, Major Terry K. Brayman, Technical Sergeant Zachary E. Lavoy, Staff Sergeant Jake M. Turnage, Staff Sergeant Jacob  M. Galliher, Senior Airman B. Kody Johnson lost their lives. These brave men were the best of the best who lived to serve and protect their country and their loved ones. They will forever be remembered and cherished as hero’s for their ultimate sacrifice. 

Jake’s wife Ivy, now a widow at only 24, found herself alone in Japan with their two sons (2 ½ years and 6 weeks old) and in search of a new place to call home. In March 2024 Ivy made the decision to move to the Berkshires so that she could raise her boys in the same community that Jake loved and grew up in. 

Ivy and Jake had always talked about landing in the Berkshires and opening a family run coffee shop once his commitment to the Air Force had ended. Kim (Jacob’s mother ) decided to explore this possibility to keep the dream alive.

One day, on a whim, they decided to visit Greylock Grounds. A quaint little drive-through coffee shop in Lanesborough and met the owner Joe Prince. 

That day there were so many signs. On the walls hung a poster with the same emblem as one of Jake’s military patches. There was also a two dollar bill on the wall. Two dollar bills held a special meaning for Jake and Ivy. When Jake’s wallet was recovered, it still had the two dollar bill Ivy had given him that she had received as a tip at the coffee shop back in Washington. There was no denying it was meant to be.

Joe was so moved by these events, he graciously supplied Kim with the necessary equipment and handed over the keys to the building, allowing Greylock grounds to become Jake’s Java. With Ivy‘s blessing, Kim and the rest of Jake’s family will forever keep the GUNDAM 22 crew and their loved ones in their hearts by telling their stories and honoring their legacies one cup at a time.